Fastest at relay: Team from Piedmont Natural Gas

Share this story

A Piedmont Natural Gas team from Greensboro, N.C., recently set a record in the relay at the National Gas Rodeo.

The High Pressure Hitmen finished at 111.91 seconds in the relay at the rodeo in Kansas City, Mo. Their record-setting relay time helped them jump nine places in the standings for a third-place finish. The Hitmen are Andy Andrews, Reece Graves, Scott Overcash (coach) and Caleb Overton (alternate).

Five teams from Piedmont Natural Gas competed Sept. 13-15, in the rodeo. They showcased the skills they use while performing their jobs every day against 58 other teams from natural gas utilities across the country.

The rodeo, first held in 1995, pits two-person and four-person teams against each other in four qualifying events, with the top 12 teams in each category advancing to a final relay event. Qualifying events include the Service Installation, the Meter Set, the Hand Dig and the Pipe Cut. In the relay, teams race to complete tasks at six different stations (five stations for two-person teams) in the fastest time possible.

Piedmont Natural Gas first competed in the national rodeo in 2008. Since then, its teams have won five national championships, including three straight, in 2009, 2010 and 2011, and have three standing national records in rodeo events, including this year’s relay.

“We’re incredibly proud of all our competitors,” said Keith Napier, director of natural gas operations, Carolinas East, for Piedmont Natural Gas. “The level of intensity and training they bring not only to the rodeo but to the work they perform for Piedmont’s customers each and every day is truly impressive.”